To celebrate National Pollinator Week, the Klamath National Forest will conduct its second annual Pollinator Nature Hike on Saturday, July 20.

National Pollinator Week began six years ago when the U.S. Senate approved to designate a week in June to celebrate pollinators and educate people on the keystone roles bees, bats, birds, butterflies and other species play in ecosystem maintenance and development.

The Klamath National Forest might be celebrating our local pollinators a month late, but there's good reason for the delay. Botanist Danika Carlson noted that the event was pushed into July to coincide with the height of the Klamath National Forest's blooming season. She cited elevation and snowpack among the attributes of the area's ecosystem leading to this July bloom.

Nature walk participants will hike the Siskiyou Crest and target native invertebrate pollinators such as butterfly and bee species and vertebrate pollinators like hummingbirds. Native plants and wildflowers will also be observed.

"It's whatever we can find," said Carlson, adding, "Klamath National Forest has one of the highest plant diversities in the nation, and high plant diversity leads to high pollinator diversity."

Whatever will be found, the hike should prove educational. Local pollinator expert Dr. John Carlson will be presenting at the event, and the Klamath Bird Observatory will provide information and give a discussion on birds' roles in pollinating.

These talks will help to educate on the issues addressing pollinators in the area, as well as conservation efforts.

"Native pollinators are threatened by non-native pollinators," Carlson said, providing non-native bees used in the bee industry as an example. She noted the effects of agriculture and pesticides as additional threats to pollinator species.

When asked about the importance of the hike, Carlson said, "It'll be a great opportunity to see the diversity of the area, get locals involved and learn about some of the issues threatening the rare species we have."

Pollinators are vitally important to ecosystems, whether native or agricultural. According to Pollinator.org, it is estimated that pollinators deliver one-third of all foods and beverages and produce $20 billion worth of annual product. The website also notes that "some species have seen a 90% decline in their populations over the last decade."

To participate in the nature hike, meet at the Mt. Ashland Ski Park area at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 20.

A carpool to Grouse Gap Shelter on Siskiyou Crest will be provided. It is suggested any participants wear light hiking boots and bring binoculars, cameras, water and snacks.